CORRECTIONAL SECURITY OFFICER


BASIC PURPOSE:

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities related to maintaining the security, control and custody of inmates in a state adult correctional facility.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS:

The functions within this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:
•    Provides security and supervision to inmates in a variety of situations and activities; maintain security of an assigned area or post.
•    Provides security and supervision over inmate work crews; escorts inmates to work sites; inventories and controls all equipment, weapons, tools and keys.
•    Patrols yards, grounds, cell houses, corridors, dormitories and work areas on an assigned shift; observes activities and movements of inmates; manages inmate conduct, work and discipline.
•    Maintains order and discipline in programs and during meals and recreation periods; inspects living areas, facilities and work locations for unauthorized objects or materials; makes reports on incidents.
•    Operates manually or electronically controlled security equipment maintaining controlled movement of inmates, staff and the public.
•    Conducts inmate counts; performs searches of inmates and living quarters for contraband; enforces institutional rules and regulations.
•    Prepares written documentation and reports concerning inmate behavior, status and movement.
•    Participates on escape and apprehension teams; responds to riots and fires.

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS:

The Correctional Security Officer job family consists of four levels, which are distinguished based on complexity of work performed and the training required to perform the assigned functions.

Level I            Code:    I10A                Salary Band:    F

This is the basic level where employees are assigned as correctional officer cadets and receive formal and on-the-job training in security and custody duties and various policies and procedures relating to control and management of inmates.  After successful completion of the required probationary period, employees at this level are promoted to level II.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of the fundamentals of English usage and basic math; of reporting writing; ability to evaluate situations and adopt effective courses of action; to exercise alertness and be able to act quickly and effectively in an emergency situation; to follow oral and written instructions; to gather and organize facts and complete clear, concise reports; to communicate effectively; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships .

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of the statutory requirements contained in Title 57 O.S., Section 510.A.2:  “a. The minimum age for service shall be twenty (20) years of age. The Director shall have the authority to establish the maximum age for correctional officers entering service and b. possession of thirty (30) semester hours from an accredited college or university; or possession of a high school diploma acquired from an accredited high school or GED equivalent testing program and graduation from a training course conducted by or approved by the Department and certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training either prior to employment or during the first six (6) months of employment....”

NOTE:    Successful completion of the GED test is based upon standards established by the Oklahoma Department of Education.

Level II                Code:   I10B             Salary Band:    G

At this level employees are assigned as a Correctional Officer I with responsibilities involving routine duties as a first level trained security officer in the security, control and custody of inmates in a state adult correctional center after completion of all statutory training requirements and job orientation.  This will include the supervision of inmates in a wide variety of situations and activities, which may include supervising inmate work crews at work sites as well as patrolling yards, cell houses, grounds and other areas to control the movements, conduct, work and discipline of inmates.  Employees at this level are responsible for interpreting and executing post orders.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level I plus knowledge of the use and care of firearms; of proper restraint methods and techniques; and of self-defense methods.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level I.

Level III            Code:    I10C            Salary Band:    H

This is the career level where employees are assigned responsibilities at the full performance level as a correctional security corporal, for providing security and control of inmates.  Assignments are related to maintaining discipline and security among inmates, both within and outside the facility.  Incumbents interpret and execute post orders.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level II plus knowledge of the methods and objectives of discipline required for inmates under restraint; of the psychology of inmate behavior; ability is required to maintain proficiency with firearms and to assess and manage conflicts within the inmate population.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level I plus eighteen months of experience in correctional or security work for a governmental agency or private corrections agency.

Level IV            Code:    I10D            Salary Band:    I

This is the leadership level where employees are assigned responsibilities as a correctional security sergeant to include such duties as serving as a team leader or a lead worker and may also be responsible for providing training, assigning work and other related duties.  Employees assigned to this level that are working within an institution may be charged with independently performing a specialized function requiring a high degree of judgment and skill such as an inmate public work crew officer, gun gang officer, K-9 unit officer, transportation officer, restricted housing unit officer, key and tool officer, control room officer, visiting room officer, gate officer, activities officer, hospital security posts or armory officer.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level III.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level III plus six additional months of qualifying experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Per 57 OS 510 applicants/employees in this job family shall be subject to the following additional requirements:  
c.    be of good moral character, and
d.    before going on duty alone, satisfactory completion of an adequate training program for correctional officers and guards, as prescribed and approved by the State Board of Corrections, and
e.     satisfactory completion of minimum testing or professional evaluation through the Merit System of Personnel Administration to determine the fitness of the individual to serve in the position written evaluations shall be submitted to the Department of Corrections, and…
Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license at the time of appointment in order to perform necessary travel.
Applicants will be subject to drug testing.
Applicants must be willing and able to work any assigned shift or day of the week, and additional shifts as required.
NOTE:  Employees in this job classification may be designated as peace officers by the Director and required to meet the training and screening requirements conducted by the Department and certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training.  (57 O.S. 510)
No person who has received a verdict of guilty or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any offense required to register pursuant to the Sex Offenders Registration Act is eligible for employment as a peace officer.  (57 O.S. 589.C)
No person who has been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude who has not received a full pardon from the proper agency is eligible for employment as a peace officer.  (70 O.S. 3311)
No person who has been convicted of a nonviolent felony and who has not received a full pardon from the proper authority, or who has been convicted of any other felony offense, is eligible for employment in this job classification. (21 O.S. 1283.B)
No person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, who has not been pardoned for, or had the conviction expunged or set aside, or is subject to a court order that restrains the person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or the partners’ child or engaging in other conduct that would place an intimate partner or the partners’ child in reasonable fear of bodily injury and includes a finding that the person is a credible threat; or who has been dishonorably discharged from any branch of the armed services is eligible for employment in this job classification. (18 U.S.C. 922)